Long distance drivers and locals residing along the Nairobi-Mombasa highway have always linked supernatural powers to frequent accidents on the busy corridor.
Mlima Kiu, a steep hill near Salama along the Nairobi-Mombasa highway, is the most notorious.
Tales abound of evil spirits disguised as beautiful women lurking on the highway with drivers claiming they have been flagged down by female “ghosts”.
“We witness a lot of bizarre things on this highway, especially at night. Images resembling human beings emerge from nowhere and stand right in the middle of the road. I have enough experience. I can be able to differentiate between a ghost and human beings,” says Kennedy, a truck driver for the last 15 years.
He says notorious places where they encounter evil spirits are Salama, Manyani and Voi, also along the Nairobi-Mombasa highway.
Another driver, who requested anonymity but said he had been on the road for 10 years, concurs, saying he has been flagged down by suspicious women several times.
“The job requires that we practice road courtesy and stop entertaining women. Self-respect and positive attitude can lead to fewer accidents,” he says.
